Giant Red Kettle To Battle Giant-Sized Need

Volunteers are putting the metal to the kettle at Campus Martius in downtown Detroit. It will be hard to miss in the middle of Campus Martius Park — a red kettle, 56 feet high 24 feet wide,was put in place early Tuesday morning with the help of a giant crane.

Jason Hale, development officer with the local Salvation Army says this is the world’s largest kettle, with as much a significant purpose.

“Obviously here in Detroit, we have had the last few years the world’s greatest need,” Hale said. “Just economically, we wanted to have something that symbolized not just the need but what the Salvation Army kettle represents is an icon of hope.”

Just like all the Black Friday sales out of the blocks ahead of schedule, Hale says the Red Kettle campaign will start a few days earlier than normal in an effort to meet the growing need. “It’s part of the times,” he said.

This year’s campaign has a goal of $7.8 million dollars. Quicken Loans is matching up to $25,000 in red kettle donations–a gesture which Hale hopes other businesses will be able to follow.

There will be 350 of the smaller kettles across metro Detroit this year taking your spare change and dollar bills, which in turn help fund the Salvation Army’s 13 area service centers. These community centers have social workers, food pantries to residents along with rent and utility assistance, among other immediate needs.

A kettle lighting ceremony at Campus Martius Park is set for November 19.